FIBROCARTILAGINOUS EMBOLISM IN THE DOG

Eighteen dogs with acute neurological symptoms suggestive of ischaemic myelopathy are described. A presumptive diagnosis of spinal parenchym al infarction, due to fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE), was made in 1 6 cases. This was confirmed by histological examination post mortem in the remainder. Clinical neurological parameters were the most reliabl e prognostic indicators following FCE. High dose corticosteroid therap y should be administered as soon as possible to influence the secondar y pathophysiological reaction in such cases. Only one dog made a compl ete neurological recovery, however nine returned to normal activity wi thout regaining normal neurological function. Eight dogs required euth anasia.